Kuleba Foreign Minister Affirms Only Ukraine And NATO Have The Right To Determine Future Membership Of Kyiv

JAKARTA - The decision regarding Kyiv's offer to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), has the right to be determined only by Ukraine and the defense alliance itself, according to Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister conveyed this during a meeting with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, in Kyiv, last Tuesday, amid the warming border situation between Ukraine and Russia.

"No one, except Ukraine and NATO members should have a say in the discussions, about the future of Ukraine's membership in NATO," said Minister Kuleb as quoted by Reuters on February 16.

At the same time, he also said Italy was ready to take 'practical steps' to help Ukraine detain Russia, including supporting a package of sanctions by the European Union.

The meeting with Foreign Minister Di Maio came hours after Russia said it was withdrawing some of its troops deployed near Ukraine, and when Russia's parliament asked President Vladimir Putin to recognize two areas held by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

After visiting Kyiv, Foreign Minister Di Maio is scheduled to travel to Moscow, Russia, said Foreign Minister Kuleba.

Previously, the BBC quoted Reuters from the BBC citing the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK as saying, Kyiv could cancel its offer of participation in NATO, to avoid war with Russia.

Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko told the BBC Ukraine was willing to be "flexible" about its goal of joining NATO, which Russian President Vladimir Putin says could spark war.

"We may be (changed), especially threatened as such, blackmailed by it and pushed into it," said Prystaiko when asked if Kyiv could change its position in NATO membership.

To note, Ukraine is not a member of NATO but has pledged since 2008, to be given the opportunity to join, a move that would bring the US-led alliance to Russia's borders.

Meanwhile, President Putin said Ukraine's growing relationship with the alliance could make it a launching pad for NATO missiles targeted at Russia. He said Russia needed to set a 'red line' to prevent it.

Russia has moved more than 100,000 troops and heavy weapons within striking distance of Ukraine in recent weeks, prompting the United States and its NATO allies to warn of a possible invasion.

Moscow has denied planning an attack, calling it a military maneuver exercise, but has issued written demands that NATO stop further expansion into the east including Ukraine. NATO members have rejected the request.